The Evolution and Classification of Flowering Plants. Second Edition

Taxonomy reflects man's urge to understand the pattern of diversity among organisms. The function of the field of taxonomy is to provide a general-purpose system of classification, which can be used by all who are concerned with the similarities and differences among organisms. Toward this end taxonomists try to group together the things that are most alike in all respects, and to separate them progressively from things they are progressively less like. This volume reflects an effort to provide a short version of the general system of classification of all flowering plants, together with an exposition of the theory underlying the system.